MLB Hot Stove: Best all-time signing for each team

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 12: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches in relief during game five of the NLDS between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs on October 12, 2017, at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C. Chicago Cubs defeated the Washington Nationals 9-8.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 21: Greg Maddux of the Atlanta Braves during Game One of the World Series against the Cleveland Indians on October 21, 1995 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves: Greg Maddux, 1993

The Terms: five years, $28 million

The Atlanta Braves were already a playoff contender before they landed reigning National League Cy Young Greg Maddux during the offseason leading up to the 1993 season. Maddux was coming off a 20-11 season for the Chicago Cubs where he pitched to a 2.18 ERA in 268.0 innings while allowing only seven home runs. The diminutive right-hander with the professorial spectacles was about to launch his career into overdrive.

Teaming up with fellow future Hall of Famers Tom Glavine and John Smoltz, along with pitching guru Leo Mazzone sent Maddux to an even higher level. In his first season with the Braves, Maddux won another Cy Young and went 20-10, leading the big leagues with a 2.36 ERA and 267.0 innings. Over the next two seasons, Maddux would take his dominance up again. He won two more Cy Youngs in 1994 and 1995, compiling a 35-8 record with a 1.60 ERA while allowing only 12 home runs in over 400 innings.

After coming close to breaking through in the playoffs for years, the Braves finally won the World Series in 1995. Maddux dominated in the NLCS and Fall Classic. With his impeccable control and array of fastballs, Maddux kept hitters off balance without overwhelming velocity.

Maddux pitched for the Braves for 11 years, only missing the playoffs in 1994 due to the strike. For Atlanta, he pitched to a 194-88 record with a 2.63 ERA, the aforementioned four Cy Youngs and 10 Gold Gloves. He tacked on an additional 11 wins in the postseason and had a 2.09 ERA in five starts in the World Series for the Braves.

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